The district attorney, Sam Sanguedolce, shared details about an investigation into animal cruelty that started in March and resulted in a search warrant in lower Luzerne County last week.
The Luzerne County SPCA received a tip on March 15, 2024, about a potential cockfighting ring in Sugarloaf Township. When SPCA Officers Wayne Harvey and Vickie Vangorder visited the property, they found many roosters that showed signs of being used for fighting, a lack of food or water, and other items linked to cockfighting and animal abuse.
On April 10, 2024, SPCA Officers and Detectives from the District Attorney’s Office conducted a search at the residence on Sugarloaf Heights Road.
During the search, they found 77 live hens, 59 live roosters, two dead roosters, 30 eggs, several gloves used to cover rooster spurs for fighting practice, and a package of “Super Vermi-Gallo”, a substance used to encourage fighting.
No arrests have been made in connection to this case yet, and the investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact SPCA Officers Wayne Harvey or Vickie Vangorder at 570-825-4111, ext.112.
